Reckoning 19/20

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--Taira--

"I am truly surprised that you were able to convince the local clans to cooperate, General Imara. However, the fact that you almost lost your life is of great concern to me and the Council," said Chairwoman Hannara, who had arrived shortly before.

"It seems to me that you are unaware of your responsibilities."

She scolded me like a little boy, and I tried to blend into the bed as best I could under her stern gaze.

"And not just you," she looked around at the others who had joined our little meeting in my hospital room.

"All of you should help Taira, you are his advisors, friends, some more than that..."

More than that. Did she really mean me and Shira?

"...and you let him put his life in danger. Don't any of you understand what would happen if he died? Everything would fall apart. The unification of our country is still a very delicate matter, any small incident and we are on the brink of another civil war."

Maya lowered her eyes and remained silent, as did Sorner and Kioshi, who were meeting the energetic chairwoman for the first time, Daichi looked bored, while my black-haired boyfriend leaned against the wall, his expression betraying nothing.

"Shira," Erina addressed him directly, which surprised me quite a lot. "When Taira asked you to work with him, I had hoped that you would not only be his advisor, but more importantly, his protector. Especially you. I would have expected you not to leave him alone, to be with him day and night..."

"He's certainly with him at night," Daichi murmured, not missing the opportunity for a biting remark.

"And you won't let anything happen to him. Even at the cost of your life."

Her words seemed way out of line and made me really angry. My life wasn't more important than anyone else's. I was no more important than Shira or Maya or anyone else. And I was tired of everyone telling me what to do and who to sacrifice for the greater good. Just because if something happened to me, it would interfere with their plans.

"That's enough, Mrs Hannara," I interrupted her sharply. "I wouldn't be alive without Shira. He did everything he could for me."

"Then everything he can do is not enough," she replied sternly, and I clenched my fists in anger.

"I'm not going to listen to this," I shot, looking apologetically at Shira, who remained silent, not defending himself against Erica's snide and completely unfair remarks.

"You will listen to me, General," she said sharply, "I would also prefer to work with someone older, more experienced, someone who understands what it means to be a leader. And not someone who acts like an irresponsible child, rushing headlong into every danger, regardless of the potentially disastrous consequences."

"And I'll do it again if I think it will save the ones I care about."

I watched with some satisfaction as she covered her face with her hand in a gesture of utter despair and frustration.

"It's like talking to a brick wall," she said half aloud.

There was an oppressive silence, no one knowing what to say.

After a moment Shira spoke up, "I have failed and I see my mistake, Mrs Hannara. But I promise you that I will never let anything happen to Taira again."

The Chairwoman looked up in surprise, Shira was probably the last person she would have expected to support her.

"I'm glad to hear that," she said, smiling at Shira. "We finally understand each other."

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